Downtown Silver Cam

June 11th, 2014: Local Headlines

June 11th, 2014: Local Headlines

Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

The Silver City Ranger District is launching a new Adopt-a-Trail program. An information and sign-up meeting will be held at the Gila National Forest Supervisors office on June 24th for anyone who is interested in volunteering for the program. Some of the goals of the Adopt-a-Trail program are to allow continued enjoyment of the trails in our national forests, promote land stewardship and physical fitness, and promote safety. If you would like to learn more about this program or how to get involved, call 388-8413.

A local family of three was recently evicted from their Habitat for Humanity House in the Vistas de Plata subdivision. Property for the subdivision was donated by the Town of Silver City in order to help low-income homeowners afford their homes. According to the Habitat for Humanity, there had been multiple meetings with the family prior to the notice given, advising them that they would need to secure a loan in order to maintain ownership of their home, and the conditions were not met as instructed.

New Mexico State Land Commissioner Ray Powell yesterday signed an agreement with New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Executive Director Charlie Walter that states the museum will serve as the repository for scientifically valuable paleontological artifacts found on trust lands. These finds have in the past included fossilized remains of rhinos, ancient camels, a mammoth, and rare Triassic phytosaurs.

In related news, campers at Elephant Butte Lake State Park found the skull of what appears to be the tusk of an ancient Stegomastadon, a prehistoric relative of today’s modern elephant. According to a news release from the State of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Paleontologists from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science are currently working to investigate and potentially excavate this fossil. Once the investigation is complete the public will be provided with information about the age and type of fossil skull found.

The Hurley Town Council held a meeting Tuesday night, and one of the major topics of conversation included the four train derailments that have occurred near Bayard and Hurley in the last two years. A derailment in November resulted in the deaths of three people aboard the train. The most recent derailment, which occurred on May 30th, involved four tanker cars carrying sulfuric acid to the Chino Mine, which could have resulted in a haz-mat, or hazard material situation. Luckily, there were “no leaks or spills” from the most recent derailment.